I just want to write a bit about my faves so here's an excuse for it. I divived my faves into two groups, a vocal oriented one, and a performance oriented. Basically the first one is made of the idols I like to listen to, and the second one is made of the idols I like to watch. Not that these two categories are mutually exclusive. But I won't use an idol for the two line-ups anyway, for variety purposes.
I also restrict myself to currently active idols. So it's mostly 4th gen idols. But if you want to make you own lists, feel free to use any criteria you want.
Vocal group
Miyeon (i-DLE)
Minnie (i-DLE)
Yuqi (i-DLE)
Choi Jieun (Bling Bling)
Yes, (g)i-dle's entire vocal is in it. I can't resolve myself to leave one behind.
Then comes the nuguest pick: Choi Jieun of Bling Bling. I've been captivated by her voice immediately; it's too bad her group is barely active and that we don't get to hear more of her.
Then, Chaein. I think it's a kind of a fringe pick within Purple Kiss as Swan and Goeun tend to get people's favors most often. But I like her RnB vibe just better. She looks great, she sounds great and she even writes songs so that's a win.
Kim Chaehyun and Yoon Chaewon are the babies of this selection; one might think it's too soon to feature them in such a list but I just like them. It helps that I've listened to my fair share of Kep1er and Class:y lately. I really think there's something interesting in their voices anyway. They stand out in their respective groups imo.
Performance group
Soyeon (i-DLE)
Kim Dayeon (Kep1er)
A selection slighty tighter, maybe based more on charisma than pure dancing skills which I have no credentials to judge properly. What I like to see is idols who make things look easy, who perform with confidence, charisma, and even sass.
Soyeon obviously is my first pick. No need to elaborate.
Nana is basically a Swiss army knife; she can rock any concept. She can be a badass, she can be a cutie; whatever it is, she always enjoys the stage and she's always a blast to watch perform.
Sangah to me is the standout member of Lightsum. She barely has any lines so I guess she's not a formidable singer but when she takes the center, I can't watch anybody else.
Kim Dayeon, I liked her as soon as I saw her in WA DA DA's mv and I liked her even more after watching her journey throughout GP999. I have a soft spot for idols with great leadership skills; she has a strong presence and *unpopular opinion incoming* I think she and Hikaru make for one of the best rap lines of the moment.
Kazuha doesn't send the same vibes as the others above but she's just too charming, too graceful.
Voilà, it's over.